GOOD MORNING. YES, THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS DEVELOPMENT THAT WE HAVE ONLY HEARD OF IN THE PAST TEN MINUTES. THIS IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED AN INCIDENT WITHIN AN INCIDENT. NEWS THAT JUST CAME IN A FEW MOMENTS AGO FROM THE PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS THAT 13 HIKERS ARE MISSING FROM THE FIRE AREA. YOU CAN SEE THOSE HIKERS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 16 AND 20 HERE AT THE COMMAND CENTER IN PLACER COUNTY, WE HAVE SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEMBERS AS WELL AS FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS, ALL WAITING TO BE DEPLOYED TO THIS SITE. WE KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS GOING TO SEND A HELICOPTER, AS WILL CHP. THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR THE HIKES. WHILE THIS FIRE FIGHTING IS GOING ON HERE AT THE ROYAL FIRE. AS FOR FIRE FIGHTING, AS FOR FIRE FIGHTING, WE SEE HERE IN THE COMMAND CENTER FOR THAT PART OF THIS, NUMEROUS VEHICLES THAT ARE RELATED TO FIRE FIGHTING. JUST AHEAD OF WHERE WE ARE STANDING. I SEE SOME BULLDOZERS. WE HAVE SOME FIRE ENGINES THAT ARE FOR THE FOREST SERVICES. CAL FIRE HERE AS WELL, INTERAGENCY WORK ON THIS FIRE THAT STARTED YESTERDAY, LAST CHECK TONIGHT, THE FIRE WAS MAPPED AT ONLY ALMOST 170 ACRES. AND WHEN I ASKED THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE ABOUT THIS, THEY SAID THEY THINK IT’S STILL GOING ON THE SURFACE. BUT WE SHOULD GET MORE UPDATES THIS MORNING ON THE FIRE SIDE OF THINGS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ALSO KNOW THAT FIVE HOMES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER EVACUATION ALERT. IF THEY GET AN EVACUATION ORDER, THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE WILL GIVE THOSE PEOPLE THE INFORMATION. BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE ONLY FIVE HOMES UNDER EVACUATION ALERT AND THAT HUGE EFFORT WILL BEGIN NOW WITH THE SEARCH FOR THOSE 13 MISSING HIKES. SO THAT’S SOMETHING THEY’RE DEALING WITH. BESIDES CONTROLLING THIS FIRE. IT’S A BIG EFFORT HERE IN PLACER COUNTY. THIS MORNING
Search underway for 13 missing hikers as Royal Fire burns in Placer County, troopers say
Updated: 07:06 AM PDT Jul 8, 2024
A search is underway for several hikers who disappeared in the area of a wildfire in Placer County that has issued evacuation warnings. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said deputies found four vehicles carrying 13 hikers between the ages of 16 and 20 in the Royal Fire zone. Deputies have notified the families of the hikers and a search and rescue operation is underway. The sheriff’s office said the group is believed to be together. A helicopter will also assist in the search. The Royal Fire began Sunday in the Tahoe National Forest west of Soda Springs, near Soda Springs Road. Five homes have been issued evacuation warnings, meaning residents are not required to leave but are advised to do so in case fire conditions become dangerous. Smoke from the fire was visible from Interstate 80 when it first started. As of Monday, the smoke is not as visible, with mostly haze. As of Sunday, the fire has burned 169 acres and is not contained. Containment is not used to measure how much of a fire has been extinguished, but to define how much of a perimeter has been established around the fire area to prevent flames from spreading. The Tahoe National Forest said the cause of the fire is under investigation. | MORE | A 2024 Guide to Preparing for California WildfiresHere are key websites that are important to all California residents during wildfire season.Cal Fire Wildfire Incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages from Cal Fire about wildfires happening near your zip code here.Wildfires on Federal Lands: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for Power Outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do if you return from one here. Here’s how to track and report power outages with PG&E. Stay informed when you lose power or cell service: Here’s how to find a National Weather Service radio station near you. Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check QuickMap’s latest road conditions here.
A search is underway for several hikers who have gone missing in the area where a wildfire is raging in Placer County, and evacuation warnings have been issued.
According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, officers found four vehicles with 13 hikers between the ages of 16 and 20 in the Royal Fire Zone. Officers have notified the families of the hikers and a search and rescue operation is underway.
According to the sheriff’s office, the group is believed to be together. A helicopter will also assist in the search.
The Royal Fire started Sunday in the Tahoe National Forest west of Soda Springs, near Soda Springs Road. Five homes are under evacuation warnings, meaning residents are not required to leave but are advised to do so in case fire conditions become dangerous.
Smoke from the fire was visible from Interstate 80 when it started. As of Monday, the smoke is not as visible, with mostly haze.
As of Sunday, the fire has burned 169 acres and is not contained. Containment is not used to measure how much of the fire has been extinguished, but to determine how much of a perimeter has been established around the fire area to prevent flames from spreading.
The Tahoe National Forest reports the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
| MORE | A 2024 Guide to How to Prepare for California Wildfires